Sunday, December 23, 2012

ERA Justin Realtor Professionals Offer The Joys of Historic Homes

 

Cathy Vick a Realtor professional with ERA Justin Realty reviews the joys of historic homes. She with others at the firm are certified and can guide with answers.  The firm has served Bergen, Passaic, Hudson and Essex Counties in real estate purchases and sales since 1950.
 
                       ERA Justin Realtor Professionals Offer The Joys of Historic Homes

Most of us appreciate the aesthetic value of historic homes, and have even been known to fall in love with them from time to time.

Many Realtors at ERA Justin Realty Co. have partnered with the National Trust for Historic Preservation to increase educational outreach centering on the preservation of historic properties. Having this designation makes them familiar with architecture that spans more than three centuries of history, highlighting both high-style and vernacular buildings ranging from stately Federal mansions and handsome Italianate row houses to modest Queen Anne cottages and mail-order bungalows.

Studying the work of authentic geniuses such as Henry Hobson Richardson, offbeat eccentrics such as Orson Squire Howler and Italian architects such as Andrea Palladio, their certifications focused on the Old World roots of American design.  This knowledge helps them to understand how the great Gothic cathedrals of Europe are reflected in a "gingerbread" house in Maine, how Thomas Jefferson's "love affair" with a Roman temple helped spark a national mania for Greek buildings and how the flat Midwestern landscape shaped Frank Lloyd Wright's bold Prairie Style. This in-depth knowledge gives these ERA Justin professionals the ability to characterize Old World features of a home that properly positions a historic home in today’s marketplace.

ERA Justin Realtor Cathy Vick, speaking for the group said, “Real estate professionals like to offer as many kinds of properties to prospective customers as there are different personalities of buyers. And few real estate properties have more personality than a historic home.  By the standards of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, any structure at least 50 years old may qualify for historic-landmark status. This is determined by a home or other building's demonstration of particularly significant architectural features or now-rare styles, or its role in important past activities or events such as famous inventions, once-pivotal industries, presidential birthplaces or visits, etc.”

She continued,  “Such homes, although wonderful, present challenges, as restoring the historic character to a possibly-neglected house can be a costly and time-consuming effort. But there's much to be said for the personal satisfaction of remaking a house by your own effort, and restoring an example of America's past that can help keep us mindful and proud of our heritage. Also, where there are historic homes there are likely to be whole historic neighborhoods, which preserve and offer to the homebuyer just the kind of old-fashioned community qualities that today's home-seekers are craving and today's developers are trying to re-create.
 
If your home is on or considered eligible for local, state or national registers of historic places, various rules will be in effect for building materials, renovations, and uses of the structure which most fit the historical period in which it was built. Although these requirements can be an inconvenience, many states offer tax and other incentives for owning and rehabilitating historic homes found to meet historic-preservation officials' criteria. And owners of homes on government registers of historic places still have broad latitude in selling, altering and using their property.”

This ERA Justin Realty group are qualified real estate professionals who can help guide you through this rewarding but complicated area through their association with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Several have been certified in recognizing and appreciating the diverse styles of historic homes, and understanding the challenges faced and advantages available to customers wishing to buy and sell such properties.
 
The ERA Justin Realty full service real estate professionals can be reached at either of their two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue and 57 Park Avenue.  By office phone (201) 939-7500(201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD. Also view 1000's of homes at their websites at www.ERAJustin.com, www.ERAJustinRealty.com and www.SellBergenCounty.com


Friday, December 21, 2012

Min (Steve) Yi Realtor Professional Joins ERA Justin Realty


Min (Steve) Yi has recently joined the team at ERA Justin Realtors. The company on the grow has brought on-board seven new Realtor professionals recently All look forward in 2013 as a strong year for real estate in Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson Counties.

                                    Min (Steve) Yi Realtor Professional Joins ERA Justin Realty

“I believe to achieve success a hardworking, knowledgeable and experienced Realtor is needed. I pride myself on my abilities to work hard for my buyers and sellers, ” stated Realtor professional Min (Steve) Yi of ERA Justin Realty.

Jennifer Darby Metzger, ERA Justin Realty Broker stated, “Steve's financial training for over 15 years and his background parallels our business philosophy, that our buyers and sellers will benefit from him and provide customer satisfaction. He is fluent in Korean. In his free time away from the office, as a husband and dad, he enjoys golf, camping with the family and attending swim practice and meets with his son."

Steve added, “I enjoy what I do providing for my family and to work hard in my career as a real estate professional and to assist buyers and sellers so they can make educated decisions regarding their homes in our communities.  ERA Justin Realty is well known to have an outstanding and high volume ‘business model’ as a state-of-the-art real estate industry leader. To become one of the best, you learn from the best. I specialize in first time buyer purchases, relocation for those moving within the state or across the nation and helping those in need in this ever-changing real estate market. Responsibility, I believe, is the key to success in a service industry. It entails reliability and trust. This motivates me to give 110%.

A Rutherford resident since 2004, Steve resides with his wife Judy, daughter Megan, a senior and a son Andrew a freshman at Rutherford High School who played Little League Baseball and Travel Soccer.

“ERA Justin Realty proudly received the prestigious ERA world-wide 2003 through 2011 ‘Commitment to Excellence Award’, selected from ERA brokers and agents numbering approximately 30,000, and Steve will be part of this continuing effort,” added Jennifer.

For more information, and to speak with Steve about real estate needs, consumers can reach him and the other ERA Justin Realtor professionals at either of their two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue or 57 Park Avenue. By phone at (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD.  Additional real estate information is also available at the firms 1000's of homes websites at www.ERAJustin.com and  www.ERAJustinRealty.com.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

ERA JUSTIN REALTY PROVIDES INSIGHT ON SELLING YOUR VACANT HOUSE



June Incorvaia, a full-time Realtor professional with ERA Justin Realty is active in real estate listings and sales transactions throughout Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson Counties. Since 1950 the firm, a market-leader has generated thousands of real estate transactions.
 
  ERA JUSTIN REALTY PROVIDES INSIGHT ON SELLING YOUR VACANT HOUSE
   
One of the first things you should do if you're thinking about selling is to walk through your house and examine it with a critical eye. Imagine yourself as a buyer and force yourself to make a mental note of all the imperfections you've ignored for years.  Don't be surprised if you're overwhelmed by what you see.

June Incorvaia, ERA Justin Realtor suggests, “Painting and floor refurbishing are good ideas. Renewing the interior surfaces of your home when you sell is one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make to increase your ability to sell in this ever-changing market. Buyers usually are more attracted to homes that are in move-in condition. However, selling a vacant home could result in a lower net return. The main reason for this is that first impressions play a big part in selling homes. When buyers walk into a home that looks bright, inviting and comfortable, they feel good. When most buyers walk into a vacant home, they feel that something is missing. Many people have a hard time imagining what a vacant home will look like when it's furnished. For these buyers, a vacant house poses a problem. They walk into an empty living room and start worrying about how they'd furnish it. It can be a stressful experience.”

 She continued, “Home buying is stressful enough without having to worry about how the floor plan works and which room is used for what. A strategically furnished house creates a more pleasurable viewing experience and reduces the stress of buying. Granted, some buyers, such as architects and designers, have the ability to conceptualize in three-dimension. Some experienced buyers have moved so many times that they've developed the knack of visualizing their furniture in an empty space. But, you are likely to sell your home more quickly if you can appeal to the entire pool of prospective buyers, not just those who have a particular expertise. You can certainly sell your home vacant. Virtually everything sells at a price. The question is how much more could you sell your home for if it was attractively furnished?” 

Dian Hymer, author of House Hunting, The Take-Along Workbook for Home Buyers and Starting Out, The Complete Home Buyer's Guide, wrote, “A listing in the Oakland Hills (Calif.) was put on the market last fall. It had a great view, but was vacant. It did not sell after months on the market during a time when all well-priced listings in the area were selling. The listing was temporarily withdrawn from the market and staged with rental furniture and accessories. It was put back on the market at the same price and sold right away.”

The cost of staging your home for sale may seem prohibitive, but it needn't be. Many sellers who stage their homes for sale use their own furniture after removing outdated pieces and rearranging the rest. Tattered draperies can be removed and often don't need to be replaced, unless they cover an unsightly or distracting outlook. For selling purposes, it's important to let in as much light as possible. It's a good idea to consult with a someone who is knowledgeable in staging homes for sale. A stager can arrange to bring in furniture if you decide that's what you need. To keep costs down, you may be able to create an inviting ambiance without furnishing your entire house or condo. The living and dining room, kitchen, family room and master bedroom are the most important places to concentrate your staging efforts. And always remember to de-clutter by removing the dozens of personal photos and other items.

“There is a difference in real estate companies,” offered ERA Justin Realty Broker, Jennifer Darby Metzger.  “Presenting consumer information, we believe, is in order to exceed sellers expectations of what ERA Justin Realty is about, as we don’t offer just the basics.    In that way, we know that our sellers will hold us in the highest regard.  Our sellers have put their thoughts in writing. We have on file for the asking, ‘What people are saying’ our report of over 700 reviews and testimonials from our sellers and buyers.  No other area real estate firm can offer that.  Are we proud?  Absolutely!”

 June and all of the ERA Justin Realty full service Realtor professionals can be reached at either of their two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue and 57 Park Avenue, by office phone (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD. Also view 1000's of homes at their websites at www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com.